VSF Blessings: A Star Trek Fan Production
Episode 6: Lighthouse
October 26, 2024
SCENE 1: PACK IT UP
SOUND: Shipyards sounds on Earth
ARCHBISHOP JOHN MORGAN 1
It was good to see you again, Jeremiah. I enjoyed catching up with you and your father over dinner. It had been too long.
JEREMIAH 2
Same here, John. I haven’t seen Dad laugh like that in forever. Those same old stories you two have told my entire life always get him going like it’s the first time.
JOHN 3
Your Mother used to say the same thing, although she was in half the stories herself. Your father and I have been friends since we could almost walk. Your Mother came into the picture later, but I knew she was the one for your Father. He would truly light up when he’d see her!
JEREMIAH 4
Strangely, I remember that, too. His love never faded, I guess.
JOHN 5
And it never will.
JEREMIAH 6
I still miss her.
JOHN 7
Me, too. Your father is like a brother, and she was like a sister to me.
SOUND: Communicator chirp
JEREMIAH 8
Yes?
ETHAN (Telephony) 9
I thought you would want to know that the computer core has been secured, and the other cargo is nearly loaded. We’ll be ready to leave in about 15 minutes.
JEREMIAH 10
Thank you, Brother Ethan. Is the engineering team happy with the setup?
ETHAN (Telephony) 11
Yes, everything is per their specifications, which took a little effort to meet.
JEREMIAH 12
Good and understood. Thanks for the update. Hollis out.
SOUND: Communicator chirp off
JOHN 13
Sounds like it’s time I take my leave. I do have Archbishop duties and all that. I just wanted to come over to see you off.
JEREMIAH 14
Thanks, John.
JOHN 15
You’re father’s off on one of his “Save the galaxy” trips again.
JEREMIAH 16
“One person at a time.” I know. Please keep him in your prayers, John.
JOHN 17
Always, my boy. Always. Along with you.
SOUND: Intro music
SCENE 2: BACKSTORY
SOUND: Bridge command noise
MATTHIAS 18
All departments report they are ready for departure, Captain.
JEREMIAH 19
And our guests?
MATTHIAS 20
Ready as well.
JEREMIAH 21
We’ve come full circle by returning to the Vatican Shipyards.
MATTHIAS 22
I’ve thought that, too.
JEREMIAH 23
But the modifications to our cargo bay and warp nacelles were necessary for our current mission.
SOUND: Doors swoosh open and closed. Footsteps.
JEREMIAH 24
Welcome to the bridge, Mr. Clements.
LOUIS CLEMENTS 25
Hello, Captain. Thank you for the invitation.
JEREMIAH 26
As soon as we get the clearance from VSF Command, we’ll be taking off. You can have a seat over here. Use this console to monitor your cargo.
LOUIS 27
This is perfect. And you can call me Louis.
JEREMIAH 28
Do you mind if I ask about this “Lighthouse” we are traveling to?
LOUIS 29
Not at all, Captain. I’ve been on this current project for five years, since the beginning. I like to talk about it. You see, the “Lighthouse” is ancient. Millenia years old. When the U.S.S. Yorktown discovered it, they dubbed it the Lighthouse because it resembled those nautical structures on Earth to both guide ships and warn them of danger.
JEREMIAH 30
Except this lighthouse was on an asteroid lightyears away.
LOUIS 31
Precisely. It obviously wasn’t a true lighthouse, but the name stuck.
MATTHIAS 32
What’s its purpose?
LOUIS 33
That’s a good question. It sits in an asteroid belt that rings a sun and three inner planets. The second planet, Krenger 2, is lush with life. From orbit, it is a beautiful green and blue. No sentient life, but an undisturbed carpet of life covering the planet.
JEREMIAH 34
Undisturbed?
LOUIS 35
Yes, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary. It is to be studied from orbit only.
JEREMIAH 36
I see. And the Lighthouse is connected to this some way?
LOUIS 37
Yes, actually it is. The lighthouse and its web of technology keeps the asteroid belt stable so nothing floats away and bombards the inner planets, particularly Krenger 2.
MATTHIAS 38
So you think the Lighthouse was created to protect the life on Krenger 2?
LOUIS 39
That’s the running opinion. The other two barren planets show a history of craters on their surfaces from times before the Lighthouse. There are signs of craters having struck Krenger 2 as well. All of them predate the Lighthouse.
JEREMIAH 40
How do you know when the Lighthouse came online?
LOUIS 41
It’s all stored in its database.
MATTHIAS 42
From the moment it was switched on to now? All those millenia of data? That’s huge!
LOUIS 43
It is.
JEREMIAH 44
Do you know who created the Lighthouse?
LOUIS 45
No, we do not. All we know is that it has been functional all that time. Whoever created the technology designed it to be durable, self repairing, and very long lasting. The computers aren’t anywhere near as advanced as what you have on this starship even. The VSF Blessings’s computer would run circles around it easily. The genius is in the long-lasting design. That’s where my engineering team came into play.
JEREMIAH 46
Is that why a new computer core is sitting in my cargo bay?
LOUIS 47
Exactly, Captain. While the creators did a remarkable, unparalleled job in creating this long-lasting system, it needs some help. The systems are breaking down slowly.
JEREMIAH 48
There is a monastery at the Lighthouse, too. Do they help maintain it?
LOUIS 49
Yes, they do. After the U.S.S. Yorktown discovered it, they quickly recognized the technology was nearing the end of its lifespan without intervention. From what I understand, a few chance conversations led to an order of monks taking up the calling to maintain the lighthouse and safeguard the sanctuary of life on Krenger 2.
MATTHIAS 50
A noble calling.
LOUIS 51
I agree. What you have in our cargo bay is not as much a “new” computer core as it is an exact replica of the current one. The creators built something that lasted millenia. Who are we to improve upon that? How they did it was quite genius. We learned tons from just copying it.
JERMIAH 52
I can imagine. It’s a shame Brother Patrick, our engineer, isn’t here to hear this story.
LOUIS 53
No need to worry about that. He’s been asking questions since we first met to discuss the modifications to your ship so we can properly transport the computer core without damaging it.
JEREMIAH 54
Hahaha! I should have guessed.
SOUND: Incoming message
MATTHIAS 55
Captain, we are cleared to leave now.
JEREMIAH 56
Louis, I look forward to continuing this conversation later. Brother Matthias, let’s get back into space.
MATTHIAS 57
Aye, Sir.
SOUND: Segue music
SCENE 3: BRIEFING
SOUND: General warp background noise
PATRICK 58
The asteroid belt is in a constant state of agitation from the orbiting planets, especially the gas giant beyond the ring. The inner planets do their own share of jostling, though.
THOMAS 59
But does the Lighthouse use the energy to keep the ring in order?
PATRICK 60
YES! It’s genius and beautiful in its own way. Almost like a dance.
THOMAS 61
A dance?
MATTHIAS 62
I get it. It’s a coordinated exchange of movements. Sort of like Jujutsu, where you use an opponent’s energy against them.
PATRICK 63
I like that analogy, Brother Matthias. It uses regenerant tensegrity generators. The energy from the push or pull of one asteroid is transferred to another through a series of fields to keep their configuration stable. Any excess energy is either stored or dissipated.
ETHAN 64
Is it a rigid structure or is there any room for movement?
PATRICK 65
Oh, it’s definitely flexible. The nearest orbiting planet will influence asteroids, but once it passes, they are soon corrected. All part of the genius of the design to minimize the energy required to pull it all off.
SOUND: Door swoosh open and closed.
JEREMIAH 66
Thanks, Brothers, for gathering here in the Briefing Room. Let’s run through this operation one more time to ensure we’re all on the same page.
THOMAS 67
Of course, Captain.
JEREMIAH 68
First, we’ll dock at the Lighthouse. That’s your part, Brother Matthias.
MATTHIAS 69
Yes, I have precise navigation instructions to wend our way through the asteroids to get to the Lighthouse. After that, it’s standard docking procedure.
JEREMIAH 70
Good. Next, we’ll be offloading the new computer core and the other supplies. That’s you, Brother Ethan.
ETHAN 71
We’re all set, Captain. Louis and his engineers are all ready to delicately start the unloading operation as soon as I give them the thumbs up.
JEREMIAH 72
Perfect. Once the core is offloaded and on its way to its new home, we start connecting the Blessing’s computer to the Lighthouse to take control when the old core is shut down for replacement. That’s you, Brother Patrick.
PATRICK 73
We’ve run simulations multiple times on our journey here. We don’t foresee any problems, Captain.
JEREMIAH 74
Thorough as usual, I see. Brother Thomas, you’ll be assisting Brother Patrick with the data download once connected.
THOMAS 75
Yes, Captain. VSF Command wants a copy for historical purposes and further study. The increased storage capacity they installed at the Shipyards should be just enough.
JEREMIAH 76
I love when a plan comes together, but we haven’t started yet. If you need any help, let me know and reach out to your brethren here for help.
PATRICK 77
We will, Captain.
ETHAN 78
We make a good team.
THOMAS 79
That we do.
JEREMIAH 80
I agree. We’ll be there soon. Let’s get busy. You’re dismissed.
SOUND: Segue music.
SCENE 4: TRANSFER
SOUND: Bridge command sounds
LOUIS 81
Rebecca, are you ready to transfer control?
REBECCA (Telephony) 82
Just a moment, Louis.
SOUNDS: Computer beeping (telephony)
REBECCA (Telephony) 83
Yes, ready. Are you?
LOUIS 84
Ready. Let’s begin.
REBECCA (Telephony) 85
Pausing the Lighthouse computer core now…
SOUNDS: Computer beeping (telephony)
REBECCA (Telephony) 86
Disconnecting…Good. Now connecting to the VSF Blessings.
SOUNDS: Computer beeping (telephony)
LOUIS 87
Connection established. Blessings computer is taking over.
SOUNDS: Negative computer sounds
REBECCA (Telephony) 88
What’s happening?
LOUIS 89
Hang on just a second. We prepared and practiced for this. The Blessings computer is processing and communicating a little too quickly…downscaling the Blessings’s computer speed to match.
SOUNDS: Computer beeps
LOUIS 90
We know from previous repairs that these asteroids are NOT going to jump the fence in just a few seconds…
SOUNDS: Computer beeping and positive computer sound.
LOUIS 91
There. We’re good! The VSF Blessings is in full control of the Lighthouse and the asteroid belt.
PATRICK 92
Congratulations Louis, Rebecca, and team.
LOUIS 93
Thank you, Brother Patrick.
REBECCA (Telephony) 94
Thank you.
THOMAS 95
VSF Blessings. The little ship that could.
JEREMIAH 96
She’s never let us down.
LOUIS 97
Ok, Brother Thomas, you can download a copy of the data now.
THOMAS 98
I’m ready. Give me just a moment…
SOUNDS: Computer beeping
THOMAS 99
Downloading has commenced.
PATRICK 100
It looks like the downloading will be finished before the new computer core is fully installed. Would we be allowed to look at this data copy, Louis? This whole setup is just so interesting.
LOUIS 101
Sure, Knock yourself out. We’ve looked at the data on premise, but no one’s ever had the luxury of digging through a copy. I’m curious to see if you find anything interesting beyond the random comet causing the occasional chaos.
PATRICK 102
Thanks. Computer, notify Brother Thomas and me when the download is complete.
COMPUTER 103
Notification set. You will be notified when data download from the Lighthouse is complete.
MATTHIAS 104
It’s going to be a while. While we’re waiting, do you mind if Brother Thomas and I visit the monastery, Captain? What they’ve built here is both impressive and inspiring.
JEREMIAH 105
Not a problem, Brother Matthias. I hope to spend more time there myself. I want all of us to get some time for worship and contemplation. The Abbot has said we are welcome anytime.
MATTHIAS 106
Thank you, Captain.
LOUIS 107
I suggest you start with the Celestial Cathedral, Brothers.
THOMAS 108
Sounds like good advice to me.
SOUNDS: Segue music
SCENE 5: VISUALIZATION
SOUND: Bridge command sounds.
COMPUTER 109
Data analysis and categorization complete.
PATRICK 110
Fantastic! Thomas and Matthias, let’s take a look. The dataset volume is enormous, so I had the ship’s computer filter through for the relevant data so we can streamline the process. Otherwise, it would take forever to run even the simplest of queries.
MATTHIAS 111
Smart thinking, Brother Patrick.
THOMAS 112
Can we start with some data visualizations?
PATRICK 113
Good idea. Let’s get a feel for it first. Computer, display a graphical representation of the solar system with the asteroid belt, planets, and sun clearly visible from a top-down perspective.
COMPUTER 114
Working.
SOUNDS: Computer processing and completing task.
MATTHIAS 115
Nice view. So this is a representation of how it looks today?
PATRICK 116
Yes, it is.
THOMAS 117
Computer, please change the date to the day the Lighthouse came online.
COMPUTER 118
Working.
SOUNDS: Computer processing and completing task.
PATRICK 119
That’s interesting.
MATTHIAS 120
That certainly is. The band of asteroids is wider, but it doesn’t look like a natural distribution.
PATRICK 121
Computer, what is the chance of the displayed array of asteroids being natural?
SOUNDS: Computer processing.
COMPUTER 122
The chance is unlikely.
PATRICK 123
And what could lead to this distribution pattern?
COMPUTER 124
Given the bodies and factors present for interaction, it was most likely an artificial intervention.
THOMAS 125
Artificial intervention? So whomever created the Lighthouse swept up a little before turning it on.
MATTHIAS 126
It looks that way. That was a major undertaking on its own.
PATRICK 127
Computer, display this as a timelapse between this image and today.
SOUNDS: Computer processing.
MATTHIAS 128
You can see the belt tightening up with time.
PATRICK 129
And you can see the fluctuations as the planets orbit, and their gravity impacts the asteroids.
THOMAS 130
It’s mesmerizing to watch.
MATTHIAS 131
That’s interesting…
THOMAS 132
What is?
MATTHIAS 133
Computer, amplify the influence each planetary body is having on the asteroid field to make it easier to see. Restart time back to the beginning.
SOUNDS: Computer processing
MATTHIAS 134
Watch the Krenger 2 planet as it orbits its star. It has a smooth, regular impact upon the asteroid field. Krenger 1, which is smaller and farther away has a smaller impact but still regular. Now look at Krenger 4, the gas giant outside the asteroid field. Same thing. Now turn your attention to Krenger 3…
PATRICK 135
Wow! What’s happening there?!
THOMAS 136
What? What’s happening? What do you see?
MATTHIAS 137
The behavior is different from the others.
PATRICK 138
It most definitely is!
MATTHIAS 139
Remember with timelapse, the years are flying by in the blink of an eye. The changes occurred over a decade or more at first, but watch how their pace quickens as time passes. Also, what starts off almost as random oscillations becomes a…
PATRICK 140
It’s counting up from 1…2…3…4…
MATTHIAS 141
But twice or mirrored. First there was 1 oscillation, followed by a pause and a second. Then there were two followed by a pause and two more.
PATRICK 142
We’re up to 35 now.
THOMAS 143
That’s not naturally occurring.
PATRICK 144
No, it is not. Is the Lighthouse doing this, and if so, why? Computer, overlay a heat map of graviton intensities onto this map.
SOUNDS: Computer processing.
MATTHIAS 145
I did NOT expect that.
PATRICK 146
Not in my wildest dreams.
THOMAS 147
We need to call the Captain.
SOUND: Segue music.
SCENE 6: DEJA VU
SOUND: Bridge command sounds
JEREMIAH 148
Wait…I don’t think I believe this.
THOMAS 149
We warned you, but at least there are no ravens this time.
JEREMIAH 150
That’s little solace.
MATTHIAS 151
At first, the planet’s gravity field and resultant graviton activity seemed random. Then the Lighthouse started shifting the asteroid belt’s mass to change the gravitational force on a massive scale. Krenger 3 followed along somehow shifting its gravitational force after a pause, starting at once, then twice, three times, and more. Way more.
PATRICK 152
Then they moved up to prime numbers followed by simple mathematical equations. That’s when the planet started ANSWERING the mathematical questions!
JEREMIAH 153
Two way communication? Not just repetition?
THOMAS 154
Yes, it appears so. Simple math was followed by algebra, geometry, and calculus.
MATTHIAS 155
Now we believe the Lighthouse has started teaching Krenger 3, or perhaps whatever is on Krenger 3, a simple language.
JEREMIAH 156
Are you telling me that over a timetable of millenia, this planet or something has learned both math and now possibly a language from the Lighthouse system. How is this happening?
PATRICK 157
We do not know yet, Captain. It’s a lot to take in, I know. We called you as soon as we found this.
JEREMIAH 158
The engineering team is still busy with their work replacing the computer core. We need to find out more. With the VSF Blessings hard wired to the Lighthouse taking over for its computer, we cannot go there to take a look yet.
MATTHIAS 159
I was hoping we could launch a probe and take our shuttle to Krenger 3 to learn more, Captain.
JEREMIAH 160
When I woke up this morning, I thought the toughest obstacles we would face would be getting the new computer core safely off our ship and connecting the Blessings’s computer to the Lighthouse. Now we have another unexplained phenomenon on our hands.
THOMAS 161
Sorry, Captain.
JEREMIAH 162
No, don’t be sorry. I’m sorry if I sounded frustrated. It’s actually quite amazing! I can’t believe this is the life we get to lead, sometimes. Ok, start with the probe. If we detect no dangers, then you can follow up with taking the shuttle.
MATTHIAS 163
Aye, Sir. Thank you.
JEREMIAH 164
If the probe corroborates or clarifies what we’re seeing in the Lighthouse’s data, then I’ll need to give the Abbot and the lead engineer, Louis, a heads up.
THOMAS 165
They simply are not going to believe this.
JEREMIAH 166
I know.
SCENE 7: CRAZY IDEA
SOUND: Inside shuttle sounds
MATTHIAS 167
According to all our scans by both the probe and this shuttlecraft, Krenger 3 is a dead planet. No signs of even unicellular life let alone intelligent life.
PATRICK 168
It is a meteorologically active planet, though.
MATTHIAS 169
If you like acid rain. It literally rains acid there.
Has the probe completed its geological analysis of this planet’s makeup yet?
PATRICK 170
Telemetry data is still coming in as we speak.
MATTHIAS 171
Could someone or something be cloaked down there or in orbit?
PATRICK 172
Anything is possible, but I see no signs of cloaking nor even of any traffic in the surrounding space. Do a flyby of the northern pole again, please. Let’s help the probe finish its scan.
MATTHIAS 173
Will do, Brother Patrick. Altering flight path now.
SOUNDS: Navigational computer beeping.
PATRICK 174
I’m eager to get my hands on this data to see what it adds to what we saw from the Lighthouse.
MATTHIAS 175
We’re nearing the northern pole.
PATRICK 176
Syncing our data with the probe’s.
SOUNDS: Computer beeping.
MATTHIAS 177
So are we to believe the Lighthouse system was actually built for Krenger 3 rather than to protect the life on Krenger 2?
PATRICK 178
I don’t know what to believe. Yes…maybe…or both.
MATTHIAS 179
Regardless, I guess, it is going to make life even more interesting around here.
PATRICK 180
That’s the understatement of the century.
SOUNDS: Computer beeps.
PATRICK 180a
Ok, with the data we’ve received so far, I’m starting to make sense of the planetary scans. It looks like the planet’s composition is largely silica with lesser amounts of aluminum, indium, germanium, copper, silver, gold, phosphorus, antimony, and boron.
MATTHIAS 181
No organic material?
PATRICK 182
Not even a trace so far.
Hmmm…couple all this with the acid rain and do you know what all these ingredients are often used for, though?
MATTHIAS 183
No, what are they used for?
PATRICK 184
Nevermind. It’s a crazy idea.
MATTHIAS 185
Hey, I discovered telepathically interconnected ravens were communicating and highly intelligent. Crazy’s my thing.
PATRICK 186
Since you put it that way, these ingredients are used to make basic computer chips and circuitry.
MATTHIAS 187
Do you think there’s a computer down there somewhere controlling all this?
PATRICK 188
Let’s look at one more thing as we continue to receive more data from the probe.
SOUNDS: Buttons beeping and computer processing
PATRICK 189
Here we go.
SOUNDS: Buttons beeping and on screen
PATRICK 190
This is unbelievable, Brother Matthias! Look at this! It’s a map of the primary veins of metals running through the planet. I’m no planetary geologist, but having such an interconnected network of metallic veins running through multiple layers…the crust, mantle, outer core…and running through primarily a solid silica substrate is highly unusual if not impossible. If I didn’t know any better, I would say we were looking at the universe’s biggest computer.
MATTHIAS 191
You’re right. That IS a crazy idea. I like it.
PATRICK 192
This could actually explain EVERYTHING. So they don’t send us for a full psychological evaluation when we get back, let’s get more data to confirm what we’re seeing, Brother Matthias.
MATTHIAS 193
Agreed, Brother Patrick. We have to get this right. If I’m not getting ahead of myself, this could potentially turn planetary science on its head.
SOUNDS: Segue music
SCENE 8: COGNITIVE BIAS
SOUNDS: Monastery sounds.
ABBOT INGLES 194
I have been at the Lighthouse Monastery for 32 years and Abbot for the last 15. This religious order of monks has been here for FAR longer than that. How could we have missed this?
JEREMIAH 195
Because, Abbot Ingles, it was nowhere near obvious and way beyond subtle. We only discovered it because I have uniquely curious monks on my crew, one of which is uncannily good at detecting patterns in things, and they just HAPPENED to look at the data in such a way to make it all stand out. These communications we detected were weeks, months, and years in duration.
THOMAS 196
And when the U.S.S. Yorktown first found the Lighthouse, that blue and green planet out there stole the show as the obvious purpose for it: to protect it. I’ve read their reports. The consensus was the Lighthouse was constructed to protect Krenger 2. The other planets were merely noted. Cognitive bias may have played a role in discouraging folks from ever looking at it any other way.
LOUIS 197
These scans of Krenger 3 show such intricacy. Is this by accident or was it created? How has it evolved?
MATTHIAS 198
And is it merely a machine such as a computer or is it alive in some way?
PATRICK 199
Is gravity the only way to communicate with it or is there a more efficient way?
THOMAS 200
I’m just shocked the creators of the Lighthouse left nothing behind to make their intent clear. No records. No instruction manual. Not even any art hinting at their intent and Krenger 3.
ABBOT 201
There may be one thing.
JEREMIAH 202
What’s that?
ABBOT 203
Up at the top of the central Lighthouse structure there is a…graphic. It is simple. Let me bring it up on this display here…
SOUNDS: Beeps and screen on.
ABBOT 204
As you can see, it has a solid dot in the middle surrounded by a large dotted ring. In the middle within the annulus between the two is a smaller dot with small lines radiating out of it.
THOMAS 205
Interesting…
ABBOT 206
With no other context, we assumed this was a representation of this solar system's sun with the asteroid belt and Krenger 2.
PATRICK 207
It looks like graffiti.
ABBOT 208
That’s what we guessed, too. Worker graffiti. Even the Great Pyramids on Earth had it. Scans show it is as old as the structure. It’s not easy to see, and we’ve never found more.
JEREMIAH 209
Beyond the data we’ve shared with you, anything else is pure conjecture. We won’t know anything for sure until even our findings are evaluated and proven by a Vatican Planetary Science Team or whomever they call in.
PATRICK 210
I’m curious if any of our guesses are correct or way off base.
ABBOT 211
So am I and all of us, Brother Patrick. You and your crew have given us another purpose. We are quite the introspective order, losing ourselves in our devotion as we work to keep the Lighthouse functioning and Krenger 2 safeguarded. Now we have Krenger 3 to consider.
LOUIS 212
Has anyone checked out Krenger 1 and 4 while they were at it? You know, just in case?
PATRICK (at same time) 213
No!
MATTHIAS (at same time) 214
No!
THOMAS (at same time) 215
No!
JEREMIAH 216
Hahaha! Looks like we fell into the same cognitive bias trap as our predecessors. With the VSF Blessings’s computer now disconnected from the Lighthouse, I think it’s time we take a trip around the solar system and remedy that while Louis and his team of engineers complete their work here.
ABBOT 217
Mind if I come along for the ride?
JEREMIAH 218
Of course not, Abbot Ingles. We would be honored.
SOUNDS: Segue music
SCENE 9: CONJECTURE
Sounds: Dining hall crowd
LOUIS 219
Captain Hollis, it has been an honor and a pleasure to work and serve with your crew on this project.
JEREMIAH 220
Same here, Louis. It’s not everyday that one gets to replace a millennia-old computer, control an entire asteroid field with one’s ship, and discover a thinking-learning planet.
LOUIS 221
No, it most certainly is not.
ETHAN 222
I wonder what next week holds!
SOUNDS: Laughter.
REBECCA 223
A toast to the VSF Blessings!
LOUIS 224
Yes! A toast to the little ship that could, as Brother Thomas so aptly put it, and to her equally amazing crew!
JEREMIAH 225
Here here!
THOMAS 226
Here here!
ETHAN 227
Here here!
REBECCA 228
The VSF Blessings!
MATTHIAS 229
Here here!
PATRICK 230
Here here!
SOUNDS: Glasses clinking
JEREMIAH 231
Before we commence to eating our last dinner together, let us pray.
Bless us, O Lord! and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GROUP 232
Amen
SOUND: Dinner noises
THOMAS 233
Captain, are you going to have a Jeremiah 1 for dessert?
JEREMIAH 234
I may start with that, Brother Thomas.
ETHAN 235
Would someone pass the pepper, please?
MATTHIAS 236
What are you eating, Rebecca?
REBECCA 237
Chicken-n-dumplings, my go-to food. Thankfully, your replicator already had it programmed in.
LOUIS 238
You know, I’ve been thinking. Whoever created the Lighthouse was in it for the long game. They had it all planned out just right. What if obsolescence was part of the plan, too? What if the computer and system were supposed to reach the end of their lives around this time? What if it was to encourage Krenger 3 to take its next evolutionary steps on its own?
PATRICK 239
Interesting questions, Louis. You may be right. The creators were quite thorough.
ETHAN 240
Thorough in everything except revealing who they were.
MATTHIAS 241
I keep wondering how they even found the planet and knew it was special. I find myself coming back to how the asteroid field looked when the Lighthouse first came online. It was broader than today, but still reasonably organized. The ship’s computer confirmed this was likely an artificial construct. What if the Creators didn’t do this but the planet Krenger 3 did it? It can influence gravity. Perhaps it was like a kid lining up his blocks as play, and the Creators noticed.
LOUIS 242
I like that one, Brother Matthias!
ETHAN 243
I’m curious if they’ll ever be back.
PATRICK 244
Are there other planets like this?
THOMAS 245
Can you imagine being accidentally born into a world where you had no sight, hearing, smell, or taste? Where the only sense you had was perhaps a limited sense of touch? How would you learn to structure your thoughts? How would you learn the extent to which the world around you exists? How would you not go mad? The Creators may have known about what was developing within this planet. With great empathy, they may have built the Lighthouse to teach it, accompany it, and protect it from harm.
REBECCA 246
Now THAT’s deep!
JEREMIAH 247
You do realize they may not find the answers to all the questions nor if it is computing or actually thinking within our lifetimes, right?
ETHAN 248
Way to lighten the mood, Captain!
JEREMIAH 249
Hahahaha!
SCENE 10: FATHER
SOUNDS: Warp engine hum
JEREMIAH 250
Computer, start recording a video message to my Dad.
SOUNDS: Computer sounds starting message with affirmative sound.
JEREMIAH 251
Hello, Dad. I know you are somewhere out there doing your best to save this galaxy one person at a time. I believe your record more than shows “so far so good.” Whomever you’re helping is lucky to have you there.
I do hope you're safe and taking proper care of yourself. You can’t save the galaxy on an empty stomach. You used to tell ME that. Looks like we’ve come full circle, Dad.
John stopped by the Vatican shipyard to see me off before this latest mission. We both really enjoyed dinner with you the night before.
John got me thinking about Mom. He reminded me of how you always lit up when Mom came into the room. I hope it doesn’t sadden you too much to think of that, but you two taught me what love is on so many levels. Thank you.
Moving on to a lighter note, you’ll never guess how our last mission turned out! I’ll just say it involved a lighthouse, asteroids, a mystery planet, and graffiti. I’ll tell you the rest of the story when we next meet.
Goodbye for now, Dad. Love you.
END CREDITS
You have been listening to VSF Blessings, a Star Trek fan production. Episode 6, “Lighthouse.”
Created, written, produced, directed, and audio engineered by James McDonald. Story consultation provided by Noah McDonald. All character voices were generated using ElevenLabs AI voice generator. Sound effects from Pixabay.com under free-use content licenses and Trekcore.com.
Star Trek and all related marks, logos, and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other Star Trek franchise, and is a non-commercial fan-made production intended for recreational use. No commercial exhibition or distribution is permitted. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.
Until next time, be the good, do what’s right, and be the light.
SOUND: End Music